Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat, and U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, a Republican, and emcee Steffan Tubbs from KOA radio at a breakfast in downtown Denver Wednesday to discuss Colorado’s energy future. (The Denver Post)

Gov. John Hickenlooper told the state’s energy movers and shakers Wednesday that if there are fracking initiatives on the ballot in 2016 he doubts they will have “significant” money behind them.

Hickenlooper, a Democrat, and U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, a Republican, discussed Colorado’s energy future at a breakfast in downtown Denver. They agreed on many issues, including expanding opportunities for global oil exports. Gardner called
Colorado’s energy opportunities the “envy of the world” and said “let’s keep it going.”

After the breakfast, Hickenlooper said the “tenor” now isn’t anything like it was in 2014 when the state was fighting over fracking.

Kenneth Boyd, the nephew of former Gov. BillRitter, talks about his candidacy for Denver district attorney Tuesday at The Source. (Lynn Bartels, The Denver Post)

Denver district attorney candidate Kenneth Boyd participated in fascinating conversations around the dinner table as events in Ferguson, Baltimore and elsewhere exploded over the last year: One brother-in-law is a white Denver cop; the other is a black ex-con who now is a motivational speaker.

That, Boyd said, has provided him with an interesting perspective on the ongoing national conversation about police conduct and minorities.

“I want them both to come home safe at night,” Boyd said, of his brothers-in-law.

The 36-year-old prosecutor is the latest Democrat to announce a bid to succeed District Attorney Mitch Morrissey, who is term limited in 2016. Morrissey succeeded Bill Ritter, Boyd’s uncle, who went on to become Colorado governor.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.